Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in the US is set to invest more than $360m in around 115 highway and bridge projects in the east central region of the state.

The road projects will involve upgrading of 299 miles of roads and rehabilitation of 61 bridges across Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.

In addition to these projects, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf unveiled plans to improve more than 1,100 rural and low-volume roadway miles, as well as replace at least 85 municipally owned bridges over a period of five years.

Wolf said: “These roadway and bridge improvements are being performed to improve mobility for our citizens and businesses. These projects also aim to improve safety.”

The plans include reconstruction of I-78 between Exit 35 (PA 143 / Lenhartsville) and Lehigh County line in Greenwich Township, reconstruction of Business Route 422 in City of Reading, Mt. Penn and St. Lawrence boroughs and Exeter Township, both in Berks County.

“We are proud to provide motorists with a safe, efficient transportation network and look forward to building on our accomplishments.”

Fritz Valley Road Bridge replacement in the Carbon county, Route 29 Bridge replacement in Lehigh County, the replacement of two ramp bridges at Exit 310 on I-80 in Monroe County, and the resurfacing of Center Street in Northampton County also form part of the projects set to begin this year.

PennDOT District 5 executive Michael Rebert said: “We look forward to the new construction season, and the opportunity it presents to fix and improve our highway system.

“We are proud to provide motorists with a safe, efficient transportation network and look forward to building on our accomplishments.”

PennDOT will also resurface 15 miles of lower-traffic roads with Recycled Asphalt Pavement this year.

Furthermore, the decks of around 19 bridges will be covered by waterproof membranes to extend their service life.